There is a gruesome photo circulating on Turkish social media right now. Two young men are standing next to a cowering dog, posing proudly with the its cut-off ears in their hands. Another picture shows the bleeding animal with one of its ears right in front of him. According to Turkish media, the duo was punishing their dog for losing a dogfight.

When the incident was brought to the attention of the Turkish justice system, they let the men off with a fine of $1,000 and no jail time. “This lax punishment is not acceptable,” says social justice organisation Lady Freethinker. In an effort to have “animal torture […] treated like the serious crime that it truly is,” the organisation launched a petition.

Just three weeks after launching the petition, the goal of 200,000 signatures is within close reach. If reached, the petition will be delivered to Turkish Ambassador to the United States Serdar K?l?ç, who will then, hopefully, advocate for stronger punishment for animal abuse.